Sink assembly



A. C. KERBY SINK ASSEMBLY June 8, 1954 Filed Dec. 8, 1950 IN V EN TOR. flidion C BY ,77'72F/VEK Patented June 8, 1954 SINK ASSEMBLY Addison C. Kerby,

Detroit, Mich., assignor to Briggs Manufacturing 00., corporation of Michigan Detroit, Mich., a

Application December 8, 1950, Serial No. 199,802

8 Claims. 1

This invention relates generally to sink assemblies and more particularly to improved means for mounting and clamping a sink of the flat rim type within an opening in a drainboard, table, counter top, or other supporting structure.

It isoustomary when mounting a sink of the flat rim type to cut an opening in the counter top, drainboard, or the like to receive the bowl and rim of the sink, the rim being supported within the opening so as to lie substantially flush with the top of the drainboard or counter top. The gap between the edge of the rim and the edge of the opening is closed by a suitable molding which overlaps and is drawn down tightly against the marginal edges of the sink rim and opening to form a seal therebetween.

An object of the invention is to provide improved means for mounting and clamping a fiat rim sink within an opening in a drainboard, counter or table top or the like, which means is relatively simple, efiicient, inexpensive, and reliable in construction and application, and adapted to accommodate various thicknesses of drainboards or supporting tops, thereby eliminating the necessity of providing different size clamping devices for drainboards or the like of different thicknesses.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved mounting and clamping device which may be employed anywhere along the molding and which thus ensures a tight engagement between the molding and adjacent edges of the sink rim and drainboard or supporting structure at the corners of the sink as well as along the sides and ends thereof.

More specifically, an object of the invention is to provide a mounting and clamping device embodying a generally T-shaped molding having its top or head adapted to overlie the adjacent edges of the sink rim and supporting structure and its vertical leg extending downward therebetween, the clamp for-drawing down the molding comprising two flexibly or hingedly connected clamp elements adapted to swing or rock relative to each other about a horizontal axis extending generally parallel to the sink rim. One of said clamp elements is engageable at an upper end with the underside of the sink rim and is provided with a flange extending toward the vertical leg of the molding and engageable therewith, preferably by means of cooperating hook portions of said flange and leg, so as to pull the latter downward upon downward swinging of the extension in a clamping action. The other of said clamp elements is provided with an extension engageable with the underside of the adjacent edge of the drainboard or supporting structure, so as to swing upward against the same in the clamping action. The clamping action is preferably effected by screw means engaging portions of both elements so as to swing the same in the aforesaid clamping actions when tightened.

In a preferred construction, the clamp element engaging the underside of the sink rim and having the aforesaid extension engaging the depending leg of the molding extends generally vertically. The other clamp element extends generally horizontally and is detachably fulcrumed intermediate its ends on the'lower end of the vertical element and supported thereby, one end of the horizontal element being on one side of the fulcrum axis and underlying the adjacent edge of the drainboard or supporting structure and the other end being on the other side of the fulcrum axis and engaged by an adjustable screw which extends generally vertically and also engages at its upper end still another extension of the vertical element. The two extensions engaged by the screw are swung away from each other when the screw is turned in a clamping action. Accordingly the extensions of the clamp elements on the other side of the. fulcrum are swung toward each other in the clamping action, drawing the molding tightly downward relative to the drainboard'or supporting structure. It is apparent from the foregoing that the adjustable screw does not come in contact with either the sink rim, molding, or drainboard or supporting structure, but engages a flange or extension of the vertical clamp element. The clamp may thus be readily applied at any position along the molding, including the portions thereof adjacent the corners of the sink.

Also in a preferred construction, the detachable pivotal connection between the two clamp elements is completed by means of a slot in the horizontal element intermediate its ends. The lower end of the vertical element is removably insertable through the slot and isprovided with a tab or projection extending angularly said lower end and adapted to support the horizontal element thereon. The slot is preferably slightly oversize with respect to the portion of the vertical element passing therethrough, so as to facilitate passage of the angularly extending tab and also to permit a limited pivotal movement of the two clamp elements relative to each other about an axis generally parallel to the sink rim as aforesaid.

from

ment ofiset upward, the clamp is adaptedfort drainboards or supporting structures of minimum. In the reversed positiom.withjhev thickness. outer drainboard engaging extension ofiset downward, the clamp is adjusted for drainboards or supporting structures of maximum thickness.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanyin drawings forming a part of this specificationrwherein like reference charactersdesignate correspond-1 ing parts in the several views.

Fig. l is a fragmentary plan .view showing a portion of a flat rim sink installed ina-supporting structure by means of mounting and clamping devices embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary. vertical section taken substantially through lines..2 -2 of Fig. llooking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the component parts of the mounting and clamping device.

Fig. 4 is a view similar, to Fig. 2,.butshowing the clamping device adjusted. for. use. with a.

slightly thicker, supporting structure.

Fig. 5 is a view similartoFig. 4,.but showing.

the horizontal clamp elementin an inverted ,po: sitionadjusted for use with a thicker. support-1 ing structure.

Fig. 6 is a view similar. to Fig, v5, but showing the, clamping. device adjusted. for, use, with a slightlythicker supporting structure.

Before explaining the present invention indetailit is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement "of parts illus trated in. the accompanying drawings, since the inventionis capable of other embodiments and. of bein practiced .or carried out in various ways. Alsoit is to be understood that thephraseology or terminology employed herein isfor the. purpose of description and not oflimitation.

In the drawings there is illustrated aflat rinr sink Iuinstalled within an openingin a.drain-- board, counter. or. table top or other. supporting. structure designated generally bythe-numeral.

l l. The sink wmay be of any conventional type having the usualbasin or bowl [2 terminating around the upperedeethereof in a continuous outwardly extendinghorizontal flange or rim l3. Ihe drainboard or supporting-top llmay comprise any customary supporting structureas, for

example, alaminated material such asrplywood'i 6g suitably covered with awater' resistant layer or sheeting, such-as linolemn.

For. the purpose-of installing the sink ID a generally rectangularly shaped opening I is cut in .the drainboard or supporting top I I, this opening being somewhat larger-than the area ofthe sink so as topermitthe sink tobe inserted freely into the opening with suitableclearancebetween the marginal edgesof the rim [3 and opening H to accommodate a molding [5 by means of which fiange themolding is installed, as illustrated in Fig. 2,

4 the sink is supported within the opening in the drainboard or supporting structure.

The molding l5, which is usually plated to present a finished border around the marginal edges of the sink, comprises a generally rectangular frame which is generally T-shaped in construction. Thus, the molding frame, which may be made of sheet metal, is providedwith a top or head I6 which is preferably crowned and ofsuitable width so as to overlie the adjacent edges of the sink rim [3 and drainboard II. The molding I5 is also formed with a vertical leg 11 terminating at its lower edge in an inclined I8 forming. azhOOk portion. Thus, when the vertical leg i1 projects downwardly between the-edge of the si-nkrim and the edge of the opening M .in the drainboard or supportin structure I l, and'the crowned head or top It; of the molding overlies the supper surfaces of these edges.

The clamping means in the present instance comprises separable upper and lower-elements -in-- dicated generally by the numerals l9 and 2ll'respectively, Fig. 3.

natesin upper later edge portions l9a adapted to engage the underside of the-sink rim i3; Fig; 2. At its lower end, the element idextendsdownward in a neck portion I 919 of reduced width which terminates in a tab or seat 2| extending-outward the drainboard or structure H at a slight decline sub stantially in parallelism with the hook [8. Each toward the adjacent edge ofsupporting of the opposed vertical sides ofthe'body lfl'terinmates in an outward extending lateral flange 22" which provides an overhanging outward declined edge or book portion 2211 located approximately midway between the seat'2l and uppermost edge Fig. 2; the paired lateral hooks 22a are adapted to overlie and engagethe' l9a; As indicated inmolding hook. l8. Above the hookportion 22a,

converging with lateral ,edge l9a.

engaging tab 23;

The lower clamp element 25 extendsgenerally horizontally in operation and comprises an outer screw engagin platform the tab 2'! andreduced neck portion I91), where.- by the two elements 19, 20 are assembled with the latter element supported onthe seat 2|, Fig.

2; The. slot 24 is slightly oversize with respect. to the thickness of the portions 19b and 2,l','.so: asto permit their passage readily and to permit.-

freedom ,oflimited pivotal or swinging movement of the" assembled elements 19 and 2il'with respect to" each other about ahorizontal axis extending generally parallel to the edges of the sink.

rim I3 and drainboard' II. The element 2!! is also-provided with an outer vertically from the platform 20a, the outer platform 2912 beingadapted to underlie and engage the'adjacent edge of the drainboard' II and the inner portion 26a being adapted to underlie the screw engaging tab 23 in vertically spaced relation. Inward of the slot 24; the platform 20a is.

provided'with a vertical bore 2.5.1 A clinchnut 28'fora machine screw?! is suitably anchored: on the portion 2ila with its threaded borealigned' with" the bore 25.

In application of the foregoing'structure; the

In operation the upper element1l9 extends generally-vertically and termi-- 20o: provided with a centrally located slot 24 adapted for passage. of I platform 2% offset sink I is assembled within the opening I4 in the drainboard or supporting structure II with the molding I installed as illustrated in Fig. 2. Any suitable number of clamping devices I9, 20 are employed around the sides and ends of the sink so as to cooperate with the molding I5 and to provide adequate support for the sink. Each pair of clamp elements I9 and 20 are assembled as aforesaid, Fig. 2, with the neck I9b passing through the opening 24 and the tab or seat 2! underlying the adjacent portion of the platform 20a. The outer platform 20b is disposed under the edge of the drainboard I I, with the upper edge I9a disposed below the sink rim I3, and the paired lateral hooks 22a are hooked over the molding flange I8. Engagement between the hook portions I3 and 22a is facilitated by reason of the outward decline of the seat ZI and the dimensions of the slot 24. Thus the upper or vertical clamp element I9 may be pivoted clockwise in Fig. 2 about its lower end relative to the lower element 20, so as to elevate the hook 22a and permit the same to slide over the upper edge of the inclined hook I8 and toward the moldin leg II.

The screw 21 is then screwed upward through the nut 26, causing the upper end of the screw 21 to engage the underside of the tab 23 and pivot the clamp element I5 counterclockwise in Fig. 2 to the vertical position shown. In this action the hook 22a is pivoted outward and downward tightly into engagement with the hook flange I8, the molding I5 is drawn downward and its head I6 pressed tightly against the. adjacent upper surfaces of the drainboard II and sink rim I3, and the upper portions of the element I9 are rocked or swun outward or counterclockwise on the curved cam edges 22b so as to force the edges Isa outward and upward snugly against the sink rim I3 directly above the slot 24. In the same action the inner platform 20a of the lower or horizontal clamp element 20 is forced downward, causing the outer platform 26b to swing upward tightly against the underside of the supporting structure II. As a result, the sink rim I3 is supported on the upper clamp edge I So and'clamped tightly between the latter and overlying portion of the molding head I 5. Similarly the edge of the drainboard II adjacent the opening I4 is clamped tightly between the overlying portion of the molding head I6 and horizontal clamp portion 26b. With the usual sealing compound interposed between the molding head I6 and underlying edge portions of the sink rim I3 and drainboard I I, the operation of tightening the several clamps I 9, 20 in the manner about its pivotal connection with the neck I9b, so as to tightly engage the offsize drainboard. Thus, as illustrated in Fig. 4, where the drainboard IIa shown is somewhat thicker than the drainboard II, the horizontal platform 20b is tilted downward or counterclockwise from the clamp elements I9 and 20 are assembled as discussed above, but with the lower horizontal element 20 inverted or upside down from its position shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Minor adjustments of the clamp to conform to varying drainboard thicknesses is accomplished as before by tilting the clamp element 20 from the horizontal. Thus for the drainboard III; of Fig. 5, the clamp elements I 9 and. 2B are assembled with the offset platform 29?) below the platform 20a and tilted slightly upward. In Fig. 6, a drainboard II c of even greater thickness is accommodated by assembling the clamp elements I9 and 20 as in Fig. 5, but with the olfset platform 20b tilted downward.

I claim:

1. In a means for mounting a flat rim sink in an opening in a supporting structure, a molding having upper portions adapted to overlie adjacent edges of the sink rim and supporting structure and having adapted to extend between said edges, a pair of clamp elements havin an articulate connection therebetween to provide for relative movement the sink rim, the other clamp element having a portion engageable with the supporting structure to press upward thereon in said clamping action, and adjustable means engageable with said two clamp elements for impartin relative movement thereto. I 1

2. In a means for mounting a flat rim sink in an opening in a supporting structure, a molding having upper portions adapted to overlie adjacent edges of the sink rim and supporting structure ment engageable with the underside of the sink rim and having a clamping portion engageable with said depending portion, a, lower clamp element having an articulate connection with'the upper clamp element and having a clamping portion engageable with the underside of the supporting structure, and adjustable means engageable with said two clamp elements to impart relative movement thereto.

3. In a means for mounting a flat rim sink in an opening in a supporting structure, a molding having upper portions adapted to overlie adjacent edges of the sink rim and supporting a portion of said molding, a lower clamp element having an articulate connection with the upper clamp element and having a portion engageable with the underside of the supporting structure, and adjustable screw means engageable with the lower clamp element and having its upper end engageable with the upper clamp element to impart relative movement to said clamp elements.

4. In a means for mounting a flat rim sink in an opening in a supporting structure, a molding having upper portions adapted to overlie adjacent edges of the sink rim and supporting structure and having a depending portion adapted to extend between said edges, an upper clamp element engageable with the underside of the sink rim and having a clamping portion adapted to engage said depending molding portion, a lower clamp element having an articulate connection with the upper clamp element to provide for connection with the latter in either of with the ;-s upporting --elements, one of the supporting structure:

i spaced extensions :two positions invertediwith: respect toeaeh other andfhavingavertically; oiiset:portioneneageable structure, and adjustable meanst engageablerwith said two-clamp elements toiimpart relative imovement thereto.

=,-5.iIn:ameans for mounting :aflat-rim sink inzanppening in a supporting-structure, a moldingxzhaving upper -portions-adapted to overlie :adjacent edgesrof ithe 'sink rimand supporting stnuctureand' having a depending portion adapted vto: extend between said edges, an upperclamp element: engageable with the underside of the sink rim andiconnecte'd to:said depending molding portion and also having an extension directed generally away from said depending molding porltionra lowerclam-pr element having an articulate :connection with said upper clamp element for movement. relative: thereto; said lower I clam-p ele- :=ment :having;.a: portion adapted to extend below .theisupporting structure for engagement thereiwitht and also having" a generally oppositely-directed extension spaced vertically from said ex- :tension-of the upper clamp element, and ad- \iustable means engaging; said :vertically :spaoe'd :extensions to impartrelative movement thereto.

":6. zIn-ameans for mountings flat-rim sink in 'anopening.- inza supporting structure, ,a mold- ;ing'having-upper portions adapted to overlie adjacent edges of the. sink rim and supporting structure and :having a depending portion adapted to'extend between-saidedges, an upp r clamp. element. engageable with the underside of the sink rim and connected to said depending {molding portionand alsmhaving an extension 'dirented generally away. fromsaid depending moldiing portion, 1'81 lower :clamp:;element having an articulate connection with saidnupper clamp. element forumovementsrelatively thereto and hav ing two extensions directedagenerallyi in opposite directions from the connection between said two last named extensions comprising -a portion adapted to extend below the for engagement therewith :and the other extension being vertically Spaced below. the extension of the upper clamp element, .andadjustable means engaging said vertically to move-the same away: from each other.

J7. Ina means. forxmounting ra rilatr-rim sink adapted to extend to hook over said flange, a,

10 in an opening ima supportingstructure, a-molding having upper portions adapted "to woverlie adjacent edgesofthe sink rim and-supporting structure and having 9, depending portion between said edges, an upper clamp element engageable-with the underside of the sink rim and connected to said depending molding portion, a lower clamp element,-means for connecting the'lower'element in either of two positions to the upperelement for-movement relatively thereto, the lower elementvin one of said positions being inverted with'respect to itself in the other-position, the lower clamp element having a portion adapted to underlie the supporting structure: for engagement therewith in either position and the locations ofthe clamping portion in said twopositions being vertically offset from each other, and adjustable threaded means engaging said lower clamp ;ele-

ment and having its-upper end engaging a part of the upper clamp element.

8. Ina structure for mounting a fiat'rimvsink in-an opening in a supporting structure, a molding having upper portions adapted to'overlie adjacent edges of the sink rim and supporting structure and having ;a depending portion adapted to extend between saidedges, the depending portion having-a hook-like flange, an upper clamp element engageable with the underside of the sink rim and having a portionadapted lower clamp element having an articulate-connection with the upper eleinent and having a portion adapted to extend ibelow andin engagement with the supporting structure'and adjustable means :engaging'said two clamp elements for efiectingrelative movement thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,228,186 Thumm Jan. 7, 1941 2,440,741 Drain May 4, 1948 2,502,553 Ball Apr. 4, 1950 2,503,910 Kerby V Apr.l1,l95.0 2,603,982 Willis Apr. 11, 1950 2,549,415 Bonnell Apr.,l7, 1951 

